Alan Nelson & other Berkeley history "scholars"
Art Neuendorffer
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http://duckman.pettho.com/history/hd1579_b.jpg
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"This brass plate, engraved with what purported to be Francis Drake's
1579 claim to Nova Albion, became California's greatest historic
treasure when it was found and authenticated in the 1930s. It turned
into the state's greatest hoax when it was retested forty years
later."
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Berkeley history "scholars"
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Historical journal reports secrets
behind infamous "Drake's Plate" hoax
Who made Sir Francis Drake's "plate of brasse"?
By Kathleen Maclay, Media Relations | 18 February 2003
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/02/18_drake.shtml
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BERKELEY - <<Researchers who spent a decade digging into one of
California's most infamous hoaxes now say they know who did it and
have a pretty good idea why.
.
At a press conference today (Tuesday, Feb. 18) at the University of
California, Berkeley, the researchers revealed what may be the final
chapter in the story of a brass marker dubbed "Drake's Plate." The
plate was discovered in 1936 and purportedly recorded the California
coastal landing in 1579 of English explorer Francis Drake and his
ship, The Golden Hind. It passed muster at the time of its discovery
and was proudly acquired by the campus's Bancroft Library. However,
scientific testing 40 years later determined it to be a fake. Among
the newest findings was that the hoax:
.
* Was created by a group of respected Bay Area men active in history
and the art world
* Was an elaborate joke that got terribly out of hand
* Was successful despite indirect warnings that the plate was a fake
.
Researchers Edward Von der Porten, a nautical historian, archaeologist
and retired maritime museum director; Raymond Aker, a maritime
researcher who died earlier this year; Robert W. Allen, a historical
researcher and educator; and James M. Spitze, an amateur historian,
have published these findings and more in the latest issue of
California History, a California Historical Society publication. Their
conclusions may surprise many Golden State history buffs who accepted
the long-circulating story that the playful E Clampus Vitus historical
fraternity, also known as the Clampers, was responsible for the prank.
The group has bristled at the accusation. While acknowledging they
lack a "smoking gun," lead author Von der Porten and his fellow
researchers cite a wide range of sources that they say point the
finger at a band of well-established and respected gentlemen of the
day - only one of whom was known to have been a Clamper.
.
The cast includes:
.
* G. Ezra Dane, a prominent member of the Clampers and of the
California Historical Society. He instigated the hoax.
.
* George Haviland Barron, curator of California history at the de
Young Museum in San Francisco until 1933 and a leading member of the
California Historical Society. He designed the fake plate.
.
* George C. Clark, an inventor, art critic, appraiser and friend of
Barron's, who engraved the plate.
.
* Lorenz Noll, an art dealer and restorer, and Western artifact dealer
Albert Dressler. They are believed to have helped with the fluorescent
lettering "ECV" applied to the back of the plate.
.
Fascinated by stories about Drake posting a brass plate to mark his
entry into California, Bolton was known for telling his students to be
on the lookout for it when in Marin County. The plate's appearance
fulfilled Bolton's dream, and he was thrilled to acquire it for The
Bancroft.
.
Sport brought these men together, although Bolton was unaware of the
game. "Spoofing its own members was an accepted part of Clamper fun,
and the distinguished Professor Bolton was a tempting target," the
researchers said. But the organization's leaders did not sanction the
joke, so Dane sought assistance from Barron, Clark, Noll and Dressler,
the writers said. Barron designed the plate, borrowing most of the
text from "The World Encompassed by Sir Francis Drake," a detailed
account of Drake's voyage that was first published in 1628, with
reprints available in the early 1930s. Barron's friend and neighbor,
Clark, reportedly designed the layout for the plate and chiseled the
lettering. The plate was fashioned from common brass, with text carved
with a chisel and the letters' raised edges hammered down. Then, the
plate was heated over a wood fire to create a dark patina. It was
hammered once more, darkened more with dirt, ash and possibly more
chemicals, and possibly subjected to fire once again and buried for a
time.
.
Then one of the conspirators - the authors believe it was probably
Dane in cahoots with Noll and Dressler - labeled the plate a Clamper
prank by painting "ECV" on the back with fluorescent paint. All the
handiwork paid off, even more than they had planned, the researchers
write: "...the realization that Bolton was almost unquestioningly
supporting the plate's authenticity must soon have changed jubilation
to shock, and - quickly - deep concern. Their inside joke, intended to
be resolved with a good laugh over a dinner table or at a Clamper
meeting, had escaped from their control."
.
It was of major significance that Bolton was not the only one conned.
Among others also taken in was Alan Chickering, a lawyer and president
of the California Historical Society and other society officers and
members who donated $3,500 to buy the plate for the library. The
historical society's directors, who authorized publications about the
plate, also were fooled. The tricksters and most of the hoaxed all
belonged to the same small world of California history enthusiasts,
the researchers said, making a public confession very difficult.
Though the tricksters tried to warn Bolton indirectly, he disregarded
the warnings. About a decade after the plate was found, Lorenz Noll
told Albert Shumate, a San Francisco doctor, California historian and
longtime leader of the California Historical Society and the Clampers,
what really happened. He said that Barron, Dressler, himself and
others were involved in what Shumate characterized as an elaborate
joke that got terribly out of hand.
.
After Dane, Barron and Clark died in the early 1940s, and Bolton in
1953, Noll began opening up with his story to a somewhat wider circle,
the researchers say. When Noll confided to the editor of The Pony
Express, the editor convinced him to dictate a statement, which was
typed and signed by him in May 1954. He identified Clark and Barron as
the plate's creators, and Noll just listened. Officials at The
Bancroft Library called the new California History article very
persuasive. This research "may well be the final chapter in this great
mystery," said Stephen Becker, director of the California Historical
Society. He commended the researchers "for their excellent
scholarship, for setting the story straight, and helping us all enjoy
this wonderful tale of historical fact and fiction."
.
The phony plate become a centerpiece of the 1939-1940 Golden Gate
International Exposition on Treasure Island, and photographs of it
appeared in textbooks and popular magazines. The discovery location on
San Francisco Bay also set off 50 years of fierce debate about where
along California's coast Drake really landed.
.
For all the confusion and misinformation surrounding the plate, the
California History article authors said the hoax has had positive
impacts that include increased public awareness of the state's
explorer-era history and a wide range of related research. The fake
plate will remain on display at The Bancroft Library, but the real
thing, researchers say, may still lie deep beneath the water, rocks
and sand of Drake's Bay. >>
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A settlement called Drake Borough
http://duckman.pettho.com/history/chapter1.html
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<<Fort Drake Borough
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Little is known about the history of Calisota before the first
Europeans started their explorations of the area in the 1500's. The
area seems to have been inhabited by local Indian tribes living from
agriculture, fishing and hunting. The early history of Drake Borough
strongly indicates that at least some of those tribes were hostile
towards the European colonists.
The first Europeans to visit the Coast of Calisota seems to have been
a Spanish expedition led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo who explored the
area in 1542. However the expedition doesn't seem to have landed in
the area.
.
In Some Heir Over the Rainbow / Scrooge tests for Heir Barks shows
that the crew on a Spanish ship which was fleeing from Drake, buried a
chest full of gold in a bank in a bay later known as Duckburg Bay.
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The establishment of Fort drakeborough
.
The first known European landing in the area took place on June 17th
1579 when Sir Francis Drake and his crew arrived on the western coast
of America on board his flagship "The Golden Hind", and went ashore in
the land they named Nova Albion. Sir Francis Drake took possession of
the land in the name of Queen Elisabeth I. The construction of the
very first known building in the area, Fort drakeborough, on top of
Killmule Hill seems to have started shortly after the landing. The
fort was apparently named after Francis Drake himself.
.
When Sir Francis Drake later left the settlement he left a brass
plaque, to prove his claim on the area, with the following
inscription:
.
Be it knowne to all by these presents June 17, 1579:
In the name of Queen Elisabeth of England, I take posession of this
lande, Nova Albion, and do establish on this hill Drake Borough, now
stated *bye me. Francis Drake*
.
In the sketches for the rejected pages of "The Last of The Clan
McDuck" Don Rosa reveals that a Malcolm McDuck was the first mate of
"The Golden Hind" when Drake sailed the west coast of America, and
that the same Malcolm McDuck was later put in charge of the first
garrison in Fort drakeborough. He thus became the first commander of
the fort and also the very first McDuck in Duckburg, 323 years before
$crooge first arrived there in 1902. When asked about the relation
between this Malcolm McDuck and the "Matey" McDuck who appears in
Barks' Back to Long Ago, Don Rosa says: "They are the same single
person. There is no proof that Malcolm "Matey" McDuck died when the
Irish Rover sank in 1564. It was stated that Spanish naval records
*report* this event -- it may or may not be true. Maybe they didn't
spot the survivors? Maybe Malcolm wasn't on board? Maybe the Spanish
captain lied?"
.
Even though England and Scotland were still separate nations back in
1579 there is no problem in including a Scotsman like Malcolm McDuck
in Drakes crew. Sailing for foreign nations was normal, a good example
is Henry Hudson who sailed with the Dutch when he explored the Hudson
Bay in 1610.
.
The end of the first garrison at Fort Drakeborough
.
Before Drake left Fort drakeborough for the last time he stored a
secret library, recently conquered from the Spanish ship "Nuestra
Señora", in a secret room beneath the fort. He then instructed his men
in the garrison to make a copy of it before handing it over to the
queen. Sir Francis Drake however died (nearby Puerto Bello, Panama)
from a fever in 1596, before he was able to return.
.
In "The Guardians of the Lost Library" Don Rosa describes the
miserable fate of the first garrison at Fort Duckburg. It was attacked
by hostile Indians in the mid 1580s (approximately half a dozen years
after the 1579-landing - according to Don Rosa) and seemingly totally
exterminated. The last survivor, *Fenton Penworthy* , managed to hide
himself in, and seal the secret room with the library. Before he died
he made some notes about the garrison's dealings and its eventual
fate: "I, Fenton Penworthy, am the last survivor of Drakeborough.
Capt. Drake left us here to make a copy of the great library before he
gives it to Queen Bess. The paths to treasure it contains are truly
countless. We searched out the most valuable facts of ancient history
and science... only those facts contained in no other books... and
wrote them down in the single volume contained herein. But Capt. Drake
has not yet returned, and savages have surrounded Drakeborough. My
final act was to seal myself in this vault to guard the great
library."
.
Fort Duckburg and the land connected to it remained English
until May 1st 1707 when it, as a consequence of
the English-Scottish Act of Union became British.
.
Even though Fort Drakeborough remained British, the surrounding area
(Calisota) came under Spanish control in 1700's. A Spanish missionary
station, of which there were many on the American west coast in those
days, is thus very likely the origin of the "legends older than
history" which, in The Phanton of Notre Duck, is said to be connected
to the Cathedral of Notre Duck.
.
There has so far been no indication that James Cooks expedition which
in 1778 (during Cook's 3rd voyage) explored the State of Washington
and Oregon came as far south as Calisota, but another expedition that
is believed to reached and possibly landed in the area is George
Vancouver's expedition who explored those parts in 1793.>>
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Golden Hind finally becoming a chair & a table!
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http://www.london-footprints.co.uk/wkdeptfordpeo.htm
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QUEEN ELIZABETH I 1533-1603
Born at nearby Greenwich Palace. When Drake returned loaded with
treasure in 1581 Elizabeth came to dine on the renamed Golden Hind and
Drake was knighted. She ordered that the ship be preserved at Deptford
where it lasted for nearly 100 years, finally becoming a chair and a
table! There are explanatory plaques on the buildings at 'Drake's
Steps' which were re-instated in 1991.
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PETT FAMILY
Shipbuilders. This family had been in the trade since the reign of
Edward VI and owned woodlands in Kent (Petts Wood) which provided
timber. Peter was master shipwright until his death in 1589 followed
by his son Joseph. Phineas Pett was born at Deptford Strand in 1570
and lodged in Deptford Green. He worked on the Ark Royal and Drake's
ship. His nephew, another Peter, introduced the frigate to the English
Navy. He died in 1652 and has a memorial on the north wall in St
Nicholas Church.
.
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE 1540-1596
Pirate, sea captain and explorer. After several slave-trading
expeditions to west Africa and the Spanish Main he circumnavigated the
globe in the Pelican (1577-80). He delayed the Spanish Armada by
raiding Cadiz and helped in the subsequent defeat of this fleet. He
died on a Caribbean expedition along with Sir John Hawkins, treasurer
of the navy, who was based in Deptford. A sculpture in the river off
Deptford Wharf depicts his voyage around the world. A full size
replica of the Golden Hind (open to the public) is moored in Southwark
.
SIR WALTER RALEIGH 1554-1618
Courtier, explorer and author. Born in Hayes Barton, Devon. He was
knighted in 1585 for his plans to colonise Virginia, although the
mission failed. In 1587 he financed the construction of the Ark Royal
at Deptford and fought in this ship against the Armada. He later
became an Irish landowner and Governor of Jersey. Following the death
of Queen Elizabeth he was tried for treason and spent 13 years in the
Tower of London where he wrote 'A History of the World'. After an
expedition to the Orinoco which outraged the Spanish Ambassador he was
beheaded in 1618 and buried in St Margaret's Westminster.
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CAPTAIN EDWARD FENTON -1603
Naval officer and navigator. A native of Nottinghamshire. He undertook
(unsuccessful) explorations to find the north west passage in 1577 and
1578 (with Martin Frobisher) and 1582. As commander of the Mary Rose
he fought against the Spanish Armada. On retiring to Deptford he would
tell stories of his exploits in the local pubs.
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CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE 1564-1593
Playwright and poet. Born in Canterbury he went on to take an MA at
Cambridge. Marlowe lived a dangerous life in dangerous times, serving
Walsingham as a spy. He was informed against as a militant atheist and
arrested on 20th May but granted bail. Meanwhile an informer was
instructed to assemble incriminating information. Marlowe was due to
appear before the Court of the Star Chamber on charges of heresy,
which would have carried the death penalty, on 31st May. The day
before at Eleanor Bull's House on Deptford Strand following an
'argument over the reckoning' he was fatally stabbed over the eye. The
inquest jury convicted Ingram Frazier of 'manslaughter in self
defence' but within a month he was pardoned by the Queen. Marlowe's
death is recorded in the St Nicholas Church register for 1 June 1593
as 'slaine by Francis Frezer'. There are modern memorials on the west
wall in the church and in the north east of the churchyard [pix]. Read
more on www.marlowe-society.org
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SAMUEL PEPYS 1633-1703
Naval Administrator and diarist. Pepys was born to a large family in a
house near Fleet Street. After attending Cambridge he married and
acted as secretary to Edward Montagu. He began writing his diary in
1660 when he was appointed to the Navy Board. His work took him to
Woolwich, Deptford and Greenwich where he spent time during the plague
year. Pepys tightened security at the dockyards to reduce pilfering.
He gave up the diary in 1669 fearing for his eyesight and Mrs Pepys
died the same year aged only 29. He was appointed Secretary for the
affairs of the Navy until 1679 when he resigned over unfounded charges
of spying. He subsequently took up a number of appointments and lived
in Buckingham Street. He retired from the post of Secretary of the
Admiralty in 1689 and died at a friend's house in Clapham. He is
buried with his wife at St Olave's Church in Hart Street.
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JAMES COOK 1728-1779
Naval captain, navigator and explorer. In August 1768 Cook set out on
a 3 year voyage during which he and his party of scientists observed
the Transit of Venus in Tahiti and explored and mapped the coasts of
New Zealand and Eastern Australia. Their ship was Endeavour, a Whitby
collier which had been refitted and provisioned at Deptford. Cook went
on two more expeditions to the southern hemisphere in 1772-5 & 1776
but was killed by natives in Hawaii. The Discovery used on this last
voyage was moored near Deptford and used as a prison hulk from 1824
until it was broken up in 1833. Endeavour replica pix.
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GEORGE VANCOUVER 1757-1798
Naval officer and hydrographic surveyor. Born at Kings Lynn in
Norfolk. He joined the Resolution at Deptford in 1772 to go on Cook's
second voyage and also sailed on his third voyage as midshipman on
Discovery. He died unmarried and is buried in St Peter's Church in
Petersham. Places in British Columbia and Alaska are named after
him.>>
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Art